Polyvictimization and victimization of children and youth: Results from a populational survey
Date
2013
Journal Title
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Publisher
Child Abuse & Neglect
Abstract
Our results corroborate previous research outlining that concentrating attention and intervention on one form of victimization obscures the true burden of victimization carried by children and overlooks their experience as a whole. This study provided a more general view of the problem in a Canadian population. Children were often victimized in multiple domains (school, community, within the family) and may persistently felt unsafe, which indicates a pressing need to improve the identification, screening and referral of polyvictimized children. To prevent adaptation and mental health problems as well as revictimization risks, service linkage and collaboration between child welfare agencies, community services, schools, shelters and governmental organizations serving children and families is needed (Cyr et al., 2012). Given the scope of the problem and the different victimizations types experienced by children, adequate intervention will require different areas of expertise and more interagency partnerships. The results of this study highlight the importance of obtaining data on multiple forms of victimization experienced by juveniles in Canada and elsewhere. The feasibility of using the JVQ as standardized measure of multiple juvenile victimizations was demonstrated among a general, mostly French speaking population. Despite some methodological challenges, the JVQ could be used in the development of public surveillance mechanisms to monitor the scope of the problem across populations and geographical regions. International juvenile victimization surveys, similar to the International Crime Victimization Survey (Van Dijk, van Kesteren, & Smit, 2008) should be developed. This would allow international comparisons of factors associated with polyvictimization, and inform policy makers about effective policies at the international level aimed at preventing child victimization. (Author Conclusion)
Description
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Article
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Keywords
child abuse, poly-victimization, research, Canada, International Resources
Citation
Cyr, K., Chamberland, C., Clément, M. È., Lessard, G., Wemmers, J. A., Collin-Vézina, D., ... & Damant, D. (2013). Polyvictimization and victimization of children and youth: Results from a populational survey. Child Abuse & Neglect, 37(10), 814-820.